Rusty Bryant learned of Sept. 11 attacks under the Atlantic

Article from the Cleveland Daily Banner Sept. 10, 2002

Rusty is the grandson of the late Emary F. Bryant Sr. and Hoyt Ownby of Cleveland

Sonar technician, Emary Franklin Bryant III, is a member of the crew of the 560 foot-long submarine. Rusty, a nickname given to Bryant as a child, along with his buddies were in a state of disbelief. Earlier that day, the world seemed to be falling apart. The events of Sept. 11 brought disbelief to the world, but for Bryant, being on a submarine somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, made it difficult for him to get a true feel of what was happening inside his country.

"I could not visualize what was happening," Bryant said. "Was my family safe?"

Bryant's wife, Erin, and his two-year-old daughter were supposed to be at their base in King's Bay, Ga., but Rusty didn't know where they were.

According to Bryant, the USS Louisiana had left port Sept. 1 for an 80 day patrol.

"It takes about two weeks to get acclimated to the routine," stated Bryant, a sailor with four years of experience under his belt.

The crew on a normal patrol had a long time in front of them, now with the face of America's security changing, it made the patrol more difficult.

The boat's captain came to the crew and advised them of "bomb threats" which had been made on the World Trade Center Twin Towers.

"We didn't know that planes had crashed into the towers," he said.

When George W. Bush declared military leaders to step up security levels to Defcon III, and sailors finally received word of what was happening, Bryant felt sick. What was happening? At Defcon III, submarines are to receive orders and not transmit or communicate. Transmitting could give away the most survivable defense system in place.

Bryant and his fellow sailors were worried about their families.

These guidelines insure the vessel to not give away its position in the water.

"All safeties were off," said Bryant, "we were in full defense mode."

According to Bryant, their mission now was to be the most effective means of the strategic deterrent force which protect the coastlines of the United States. The triad of America's defense is made up of the Air Force, Army ground troops and Navy subs. According to Bryant, submarines are the third leg of the triad.

"Information was seldom," said Bryant. "During the attack on WTC and the Pentagon was bad, then we had the Anthrax reports."

Finally, shortly before Thanksgiving, Bryant received an e-mail from his dad and Emary Franklin "Chip" Bryant II, had reconnected his son to the new world.

"When we got off the sub, everything had changed," Bryant said. "We came back to a completely different world."

Vehicle searches, barriers, and other security measures were placed around military bases and buildings.

"In law enforcement, an officer has to have probable cause to search a vehicle. When your are in the military and have to face a mandatory vehicle search just to get to where you live, that takes probable cause out of the picture," Bryant said. "Criminals think they have it bad, we are the protectors of the country and we have no choice period if we are searched."

Bryant doesn't mind the searches which have now become routine. Being from a family of law enforcement gives him a better understanding of how security works, whether it be in Bradley County or under the Atlantic Ocean. Bryant is proud of the president's actions, but disappointed in the fact that Osama Bin Laden has not been captured.

Bryant's extensive career includes 12 years of experience with Bradley County Rescue Service, a special deputy for Bradley County Sheriff's Office where he works with search dogs. Bryant worked with the 911 Center before it was consolidated. He is an amateur HAM radio operator and a member of the Camden County Radio Club and Cleveland Amateur Radio Club.

Bryant has re-enlisted for four more years of active duty. He and his family are transferring to Charleston, South Carolina where he is going into the Naval Law Enforcement Academy.

When then sun sets on Rusty Bryant's naval career, and he comes home to Bradley County, he will be experienced in helping protect the nation, an experience which will aid him in helping protect Bradley County.

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